How We Work

a community partnership

Borrow Tools

BECOME A MEMBER

Our Tool Lending Program

The heart of the ToolBank is our tool lending program. Not-for-profit organizations have year-round access to the ToolBank’s inventory of tools and equipment for a nominal fee. ToolBank tools are only available to not-for-profit organizations, such as:

  • Nonprofit, Charitable & Tax exempt organizations
  • Schools and PTAs/PTOs
  • Neighborhood Associations
  • Faith-Based Groups
  • Civic Organizations
  • Government Agencies

ToolBank tools are inexpensive, convenient, and fully functional. They maximizing agencies’ financial and human resources and empowering them to improve community engagement and to achieve greater impact for those they serve.

Tools in Four Easy Steps

1. Become a ToolBank Member

First time borrowers must complete our brief online membership application before they can borrow tools. There is no membership fee. This process captures documentation of their not-for-profit status and creates a user account for the agency contact in our online tool ordering system.

2. Submit a Tool Order

Log into your ToolBank account and submits a tool order online. Get all the tools you need for your project!

3. Pick Up Tools

Pick up your tool order at the ToolBank at the scheduled pickup time. ToolBank staff and volunteers will have already prepared the order in advance and will help load the tools and equipment into their vehicle. ToolBank staff will also provide usage and care guidelines and, as well as an itemized receipt.

4. Return Tools

After the completion of the project, the agency returns borrowed tools at the scheduled return time. ToolBank staff and volunteers assist agency in unloading tools and check tools back into inventory.

 

The Richmond Community Toolbox

Did you know that the Richmond Community ToolBank provides access to over 200 different types of tools and is growing it’s inventory every day thanks to our generous sponsors and supporters.

Become a ToolBank Member

Becoming a ToolBank member is easy and free! Register your not-for-profit organization today and start borrowing tools as soon as tomorrow!

Apply for a Membership Today

TOOLS AS SOON AS TOMORROW

Complete applications are usually approved in less than 24 hours! Once your application is approved, your agency is immediately eligible to borrow tools. Members can submit a tool order at any time by clicking the ‘Order Tools’ button to the right. It’s fast and easy, and ToolBank staff will contact you as soon as possible to confirm your order and pickup appointment.

 

Simple, Standardized Pricing

Members are required to pay a tool handling fee to borrow ToolBank tools and equipment. The Tool Handling Fee is 3% of the retail value of each tool borrowed multiplied by the number of weeks borrowed.

For example, a member borrows 30 rakes for one week. Rakes are valued in our tool ordering system at $9.98 each. At 3%, our tool handling fee for one rake is $0.30 per week. For this project, the total tool handling fee would be $8.98.

Quick Math: 0.03 x $9.98 x 30 x 1 = $8.98

In addition to tool handling fees, members may also incur late fees, replacement fees, and cleaning fees – all of which are easily avoidable. To learn more about our fees and other policies specific to our tool lending program, check out our Tools & Fees page.

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